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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lubbock, Texas » Cropping Systems Research Laboratory » Cotton Production and Processing Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #344817
Research Project: Enhancing the Profitability and Sustainability of Upland Cotton, Cottonseed, and Agricultural Byproducts through Improvements in Pre- and Post-Harvest Processing

Location: Cotton Production and Processing Research

Title: Cottonseed air-handling and storage requirements

Author
item ASHLEY, HARRISON - National Cotton Ginners Association
item THOMAS, JOE - Lummus Corporation
item Holt, Gregory
item Valco, Thomas

Submitted to: Journal of Cotton Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/4/2018
Publication Date: 5/29/2018
Citation: Ashley, H., Thomas, J., Holt, G.A., Valco, T.D. 2018. Cottonseed air-handling and storage requirements. Journal of Cotton Science. 22(1):47-59.

Interpretive Summary: Cottonseed is a secondary crop of the cotton plant that accounts for 15 to 25 percent of the crop value. As such, proper handling, storage and aeration are needed to maintain seed quality and minimize spoilage. Knowing the proper conveying velocities is important in minimizing seed damage due to handling at the cotton gin. This manuscript provides guidance on seed storage facilities as well as giving examples of pipe and fan sizing needing for adequate aeration of the cottonseed during storage. The guidance and recommendations provided update previous guidance which based values on 800 lb (363 kg) of cottonseed per 500 lb (227 kg) bale of lint. Due to decreasing seed size over the past decade, the numbers presented in this manuscript are based on 700 lb (317.5 kg) of cottonseed per bale.

Technical Abstract: In addition to lint, cottonseed is an additional product of the cotton plant that accounts for 15 to 25 percent of the crop value. Due to the value of the cottonseed, proper handling, storage, and aeration are critical for maintaining seed quality and minimizing spoilage. Over the last few decades, the mass of cottonseed per 500 lb (227 kg) bale of lint has declined to an average value of 700 lb (317.5 kg). This document updates handling, storage, and aeration data based on the smaller mass of seed per bale being encountered in today’s cotton gins and provides the most current information available.